repaired · 2016 Q2
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk. If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
2006 Chevrolet Malibu MaxxProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 270 owner complaints about the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, most often about the steering. It is covered by 4 safety recalls, and for recall 14V-224 the manufacturer reports only 54% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 11, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx has problems
270 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
207Steering9 crash/fire/injury
28Electrical system1 crash/fire/injury
17Power train
13Service brakes
12Electronic stability control (ESC)
8Service brakes, hydraulic
8Vehicle speed control
8Exterior lighting
7Engine
3114 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 207 | 9 |
| Electrical system | 28 | 1 |
| Power train | 17 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 13 | 2 |
| Electronic stability control (ESC) | 12 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 8 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 2 |
| Exterior lighting | 8 | 0 |
| Engine | 7 | 0 |
| 14 other systems | 31 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
4 recalls
2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2015 Q4
Electrical system: wiring
Risk. Any of the above failure conditions increases the risk of a crash.
repaired · 2016 Q2
Power train: automatic transmission
Risk. If the transmission shift cable fractures while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle…
repaired · 2016 Q2
Steering: electric power assist system
Risk. If power steering assist is lost, greater driver effort would be required to steer the vehicle at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Chevrolet.
Mileage at failure
When do steering problems start?
83kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 188 steering complaints. 62% were reported before 100,000 miles.
13under 30k miles117under 100k miles71100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Steering
21 owners mentioned a cost$700median
Middle half: $580 – $900
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2006 vs. every other Malibu Maxx year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Malibu Maxx median. How we score
'04'05'06'07
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx safety ratings
2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx 5-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Malibu Maxx owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the power steering malfunctioned, and the steering wheel became difficult to turn in either direction. During the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the…
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel became firm. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to pull over, but the steering wheel was difficult to maneuver. The contact was able to pull over, shut off and…
The contact owns a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx. The contact stated that while driving at an undetermined speed and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel failed to turn left or right. The vehicle continued to move forward. The power steering assist fault light was illuminated. The…
Own a 2006 Malibu Maxx?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.